Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington is an actor, composer, composer/lyricist whose BroadwayWorld credits include Play On! and Timon of Athens.
Date of Birth: April 29, 1899
Date of Death: May 24, 1974 (75)
Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA
Latest News on Duke Ellington:
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Duke Ellington
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Awards and Nominations
Drama Desk Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Music in a Play
Duke Ellington, Timon of Athens
Videos
Video: PLAY ON! Trailer Released Ahead of Chicago Shakespeare Theater Premiere
by Michael Major - 2026-09-18 15:32:27
Video: Inside PLAY ON! Rehearsals at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Michael Major - 2026-08-18 15:21:05
Video: Opera Singer Denyce Graves Reflects on Career Ahead of Retirement on PBS
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-02-11 10:31:46
Video: Original DREAMGIRLS Star Jennifer Holliday Sings 'I Am Changing' At 54 Below
by A.A. Cristi - 2026-01-09 23:01:37
News
Review: PLAY ON! at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
by Rachel Weinberg - Sep 20, 2026
Play On! is a lively retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Conceived by Sheldon Epps (who also directs) and with a book by Cheryl L. West, Play On! transports Shakespeare’s story to Harlem, New York. West’s book skillfully weaves Duke Ellington’s songs into the narrative.
by Rachel Weinberg - Sep 20, 2026
Play On! is a lively retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Conceived by Sheldon Epps (who also directs) and with a book by Cheryl L. West, Play On! transports Shakespeare’s story to Harlem, New York. West’s book skillfully weaves Duke Ellington’s songs into the narrative.
Video: PLAY ON! Trailer Released Ahead of Chicago Shakespeare Theater Premiere
by Michael Major - Sep 18, 2026
Chicago Shakespeare Theater shared a trailer for PLAY ON!, its jazz musical retelling of Twelfth Night set to Duke Ellington's music, opening the company's 40th Anniversary Season.
by Michael Major - Sep 18, 2026
Chicago Shakespeare Theater shared a trailer for PLAY ON!, its jazz musical retelling of Twelfth Night set to Duke Ellington's music, opening the company's 40th Anniversary Season.
Peggy Lee's "Since You Have Gone" EP to Debut Unreleased Original
by Rachel Stone - Sep 18, 2026
A previously unreleased Peggy Lee original discovered in Capitol Records vaults after more than 60 years will debut as the title track of a new digital EP, paired with signature recordings and a new visualizer.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 18, 2026
A previously unreleased Peggy Lee original discovered in Capitol Records vaults after more than 60 years will debut as the title track of a new digital EP, paired with signature recordings and a new visualizer.
Zacchae'us Paul Releases New R&B Single STAY Featuring donSMITH
by Rachel Stone - Sep 18, 2026
Atlanta-born artist Zacchae'us Paul released his new single STAY, featuring donSMITH and trumpeter Milena Casado, ahead of his sophomore album JAZZ MONEY VOL. 2: SWINGIN' R&B on Candid Records.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 18, 2026
Atlanta-born artist Zacchae'us Paul released his new single STAY, featuring donSMITH and trumpeter Milena Casado, ahead of his sophomore album JAZZ MONEY VOL. 2: SWINGIN' R&B on Candid Records.
New School Studio Orchestra to perform HEAVY WEATHER in WEATHER REPORT tribute
by Rachel Stone - Sep 17, 2026
The New School Studio Orchestra will perform the complete 1977 album HEAVY WEATHER, featuring the iconic hit 'Birdland,' at Tishman Auditorium in New York City. The concert is free with registration.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 17, 2026
The New School Studio Orchestra will perform the complete 1977 album HEAVY WEATHER, featuring the iconic hit 'Birdland,' at Tishman Auditorium in New York City. The concert is free with registration.
Catherine Russell to Celebrate 70 At Jazz At Lincoln Center's Rose Theater With Cyndi Lauper
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 16, 2026
The 3x GRAMMY-nominated vocalist will perform two nights at the Rose Theater with special guest Cyndi Lauper, featuring longtime collaborators in a program shaped by Russell's influential jazz career.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 16, 2026
The 3x GRAMMY-nominated vocalist will perform two nights at the Rose Theater with special guest Cyndi Lauper, featuring longtime collaborators in a program shaped by Russell's influential jazz career.
Lisa Hilton Quintet Releases NATURALLY Album
by Rachel Stone - Sep 16, 2026
The Lisa Hilton Quintet releases its thirtieth album featuring tenor saxophonist JD Allen, trumpeter Igmar Thomas, bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Rudy Royston. The recording marks another entry in Hilton's cool jazz catalog.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 16, 2026
The Lisa Hilton Quintet releases its thirtieth album featuring tenor saxophonist JD Allen, trumpeter Igmar Thomas, bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Rudy Royston. The recording marks another entry in Hilton's cool jazz catalog.
Karen Ziemba, Matthew Scott and Vanisha Gould to Celebrate Kander & Ebb at Jazz At Lincoln Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 15, 2026
Songbook Sundays, created and hosted by Deborah Grace Winer celebrating the American Songbook will continue at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club with LIFE IS KANDER AND EBB.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 15, 2026
Songbook Sundays, created and hosted by Deborah Grace Winer celebrating the American Songbook will continue at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club with LIFE IS KANDER AND EBB.
AILEY II: THE NEXT GENERATION OF DANCE is Coming to Westport Country Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 15, 2026
Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will present a mixed repertory including works by Francesca Harper, Ronald K. Brown, and Alvin Ailey at Westport Country Playhouse.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 15, 2026
Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will present a mixed repertory including works by Francesca Harper, Ronald K. Brown, and Alvin Ailey at Westport Country Playhouse.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN HARLEM to premiere at Film Forum
by Rachel Stone - Sep 15, 2026
David Greaves completes his father William Greaves' documentary of a 1972 Harlem Renaissance gathering featuring Romare Bearden, Eubie Blake, and other luminaries at Duke Ellington's townhouse.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 15, 2026
David Greaves completes his father William Greaves' documentary of a 1972 Harlem Renaissance gathering featuring Romare Bearden, Eubie Blake, and other luminaries at Duke Ellington's townhouse.
Photos: TREY ANASTASIO BAND to Headline Loew's Jersey Theatre Re-Opening
by Rachel Stone - Sep 15, 2026
The historic Loew's Jersey Theatre in Jersey City reopens as a restored live performance venue with opening weekend concerts from Trey Anastasio Band and THE WAR ON DRUGS.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 15, 2026
The historic Loew's Jersey Theatre in Jersey City reopens as a restored live performance venue with opening weekend concerts from Trey Anastasio Band and THE WAR ON DRUGS.
Ed Neumeister Announces Upcoming Appearances and NEWNEUNONET Recording
by Rachel Stone - Sep 14, 2026
Trumpeter Ed Neumeister will perform with the Bujazzo Ensemble in Germany and make his NEWNEUNONET world debut in New York, with a new recording planned for release.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 14, 2026
Trumpeter Ed Neumeister will perform with the Bujazzo Ensemble in Germany and make his NEWNEUNONET world debut in New York, with a new recording planned for release.
PHAR LAP: THE ELECTRO-SWING MUSICAL To Take The Stage At Carriageworks
by Marissa Faith Curley - Sep 13, 2026
Hayes Theatre Co has announced Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical, will return in 2027. This new Australian musical with the biggest heart returns to Sydney in an expanded, unbridled production playing at Carriageworks.
by Marissa Faith Curley - Sep 13, 2026
Hayes Theatre Co has announced Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical, will return in 2027. This new Australian musical with the biggest heart returns to Sydney in an expanded, unbridled production playing at Carriageworks.
FOLKZ Single from Russell Gunn & BLACKHAWK Album Out Now
by Rachel Stone - Sep 11, 2026
Russell Gunn releases the first single from AFRIKAN-AMERIKAN BOOK OF THE DEAD, a seven-song album drawing from ancient Egyptian texts and African American experience. The album features Gunn's new sextet with saxophonist Kendrick Smith, trombonist Andre Hayward, and others.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 11, 2026
Russell Gunn releases the first single from AFRIKAN-AMERIKAN BOOK OF THE DEAD, a seven-song album drawing from ancient Egyptian texts and African American experience. The album features Gunn's new sextet with saxophonist Kendrick Smith, trombonist Andre Hayward, and others.
RAGTIME to Open Fulton Theatre's 2026-2027 Season
by Stephi Wild - Sep 11, 2026
The Fulton Theatre will present RAGTIME, a musical exploring the American experience through the intertwined stories of a Black family in Harlem, Jewish immigrants, and an upper-class white family in New Rochelle.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 11, 2026
The Fulton Theatre will present RAGTIME, a musical exploring the American experience through the intertwined stories of a Black family in Harlem, Jewish immigrants, and an upper-class white family in New Rochelle.
New Jersey Youth Symphony Sets Six Free Concerts at UCPAC This Fall
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 10, 2026
The NEW JERSEY YOUTH SYMPHONY will present six free concerts at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, featuring acclaimed guest artists and celebrating America's 250th anniversary and cultural diversity.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 10, 2026
The NEW JERSEY YOUTH SYMPHONY will present six free concerts at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, featuring acclaimed guest artists and celebrating America's 250th anniversary and cultural diversity.
HOLIDAY POPS! and BEETHOVEN'S NINTH to Expand to Trenton
by Stephi Wild - Sep 10, 2026
The Princeton Symphony Orchestra extends performances to Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, featuring vocalist Scarlett Strallen and conductor Rossen Milanov with the Westminster Symphonic Choir.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 10, 2026
The Princeton Symphony Orchestra extends performances to Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, featuring vocalist Scarlett Strallen and conductor Rossen Milanov with the Westminster Symphonic Choir.
SMOKE Jazz Club October Line-up Will Include Two-Week Monk Festival
by Stephi Wild - Sep 10, 2026
SMOKE Jazz Club will present an October programming schedule highlighted by a two-week Thelonious Monk Festival featuring performances by Renee Rosnes, James Francies, Joel Ross, and other artists.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 10, 2026
SMOKE Jazz Club will present an October programming schedule highlighted by a two-week Thelonious Monk Festival featuring performances by Renee Rosnes, James Francies, Joel Ross, and other artists.
Gold Coast Jazz Society Unveils 2026-2027 Concert Series
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 9, 2026
The Gold Coast Jazz Society will present seven performances at Broward Center for the Performing Arts' Amaturo Theater in Fort Lauderdale, featuring artists including Janis Siegel, Bob James, and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 9, 2026
The Gold Coast Jazz Society will present seven performances at Broward Center for the Performing Arts' Amaturo Theater in Fort Lauderdale, featuring artists including Janis Siegel, Bob James, and more.
The Chelsea Symphony to Present 2026/27 Season
by Rachel Stone - Sep 9, 2026
The Chelsea Symphony will present its 21st season, featuring Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony, Beethoven's Eroica, and Respighi's Pines of Rome alongside world premieres by resident and fellowship composers.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 9, 2026
The Chelsea Symphony will present its 21st season, featuring Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony, Beethoven's Eroica, and Respighi's Pines of Rome alongside world premieres by resident and fellowship composers.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Duke Ellington written?
Duke Ellington has written 15 shows including Cotton Club Parade (Composer), Jump for Joy (Composer), Blue Holiday (Composer/Lyricist), Beggar's Holiday (Composer), My People (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Pousse-Café (Composer), Bubbling Brown Sugar (Composer/Lyricist), Sophisticated Ladies (Lyricist), Queenie Pie (Composer), Stardust (Composer), A Drum is a Woman (Composer/Lyricist), Play On! (Composer), Dream (Composer/Lyricist), Swing! (Composer/Lyricist), Taking a Chance on Love (Composer).
What awards has Duke Ellington been nominated for?
Duke Ellington has been nominated for the Outstanding Music in a Play award at the Drama Desk Awards for his work on the play "Timon of Athens".
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